Alpha-carotene for longevity

An antioxidant found in some fruits and vegetables called alpha-carotene could increase longevity.

If you eat plenty of alpha-carotene—a potent antioxidant found in yellow, orange, red, and green fruits and vegetables—you might live longer, according to recent research. A 14-year study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, following 15,000 American adults, found that people with higher alpha-carotene blood levels were up to 39 percent less likely to die from all causes, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Alpha-carotene may counteract oxidative damage to the body, which affects the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.